PTLC vs. USPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTLC (Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF) and USPX (Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - PTLC tracks the Pacer Trendpilot U.S. Large Cap Index while USPX tracks the Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PTLC returned 10.72%/yr vs 12.39%/yr for USPX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PTLC charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for USPX.

Performance

PTLC vs. USPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) and Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF (USPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTLC achieves a 5.53% return, which is significantly lower than USPX's 10.64% return.

PTLC

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.98%
• YTD: 5.53%
• 6M: 5.49%
• 1Y: 21.41%
• 3Y*: 14.93%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 11.26%

USPX

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 5.12%
• YTD: 10.64%
• 6M: 10.50%
• 1Y: 27.42%
• 3Y*: 22.42%
• 5Y*: 12.39%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PTLC vs. USPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTLC Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF	5.53%	5.10%	24.31%	16.78%	-8.62%	27.90%	-1.15%	17.58%	1.49%	21.41%
USPX Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF	10.64%	17.78%	24.97%	27.07%	-18.88%	19.53%	9.72%	26.60%	-7.78%	23.80%

Correlation

The correlation between PTLC and USPX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2016	0.75

Over the past year, PTLC and USPX have become more correlated (0.98) than their long-term average of 0.75, meaning their price movements have been converging.

PTLC vs. USPX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PTLC	USPX
Technology	35.6%	35.4%
Financial Services	11.8%	11.8%
Communication Services	11.2%	11.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.6%
Industrials	8.3%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.8%
Energy	3.5%	3.6%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.7%

Return for Risk

PTLC vs. USPX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PTLC

PTLC Risk / Return Rank: 53
PTLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
PTLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PTLC Omega Ratio Rank: 54
PTLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PTLC Martin Ratio Rank: 56

USPX

USPX Risk / Return Rank: 68
USPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
USPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
USPX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
USPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
USPX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PTLC vs. USPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) and Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF (USPX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	PTLC	USPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	2.28	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.12	-0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.41	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	3.01	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.71	13.72	-4.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTLC vs. USPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTLC Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the USPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTLC and USPX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PTLC	USPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	2.28	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92	0.77	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.80	-0.10

Drawdowns

PTLC vs. USPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTLC drawdown since its inception was -26.63%, smaller than the maximum USPX drawdown of -31.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTLC and USPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTLC	USPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.63%	-31.21%	+4.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.77%	-9.15%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.17%	-19.21%	+4.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.17%	-24.60%	+9.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.63%	-31.21%	+4.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.75%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.64%	-4.44%	-1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	2.00%	+0.21%

Volatility

PTLC vs. USPX - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) and Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF (USPX) have volatilities of 2.88% and 2.87%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTLC	USPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	2.87%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.15%	9.16%	-1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.27%	12.09%	-0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.73%	16.17%	-4.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.17%	15.92%	-2.75%

PTLC vs. USPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTLC has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than USPX's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTLC vs. USPX - Dividend Comparison

PTLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than USPX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTLC Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF	1.01%	1.06%	0.67%	1.18%	1.26%	0.73%	1.08%	1.10%	1.00%	0.97%	1.08%	0.42%
USPX Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF	1.04%	1.07%	1.23%	1.35%	2.21%	2.40%	2.51%	3.07%	2.91%	2.60%	4.89%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTLC and USPX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, PTLC and USPX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PTLC or USPX?

PTLC has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to USPX (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTLC dropped -26.63% vs USPX's -31.21%.

Which ETF is better, PTLC or USPX?

On 5-year performance, USPX leads with 12.39% vs 10.72% for PTLC. On fees, USPX is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTLC or USPX?

Over the 5-year period, USPX has performed better with a 12.39% return vs 10.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTLC or USPX?

USPX is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PTLC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PTLC or USPX?

USPX has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 1.01% for PTLC.

What is the main difference between PTLC and USPX?

PTLC tracks Pacer Trendpilot U.S. Large Cap Index, while USPX tracks Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PTLC and 0.03% for USPX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.91), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.